Hi: I'm building a British Mark 5. I see in the photos there is a horizontal braced bracket with a vertical hole in the end, aft of the signal mast. Any ideas on it's purpose. Could it be for a flag? Thanks, Chris A.
Hi: A towing point is logical, it did look too massive for a flag pole. brainless: I guess a shackle would go thru the hole. Thanks for the help. Chris A.
That looks like the Mk V in the Imperial War Museum. I haven't noticed such an arrangement on a Mk V before, but there is something that looks identical on the sectional drawings of the Mk VII, labelled Roof Towing Gear.
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James, you don't often see good photos of the roof of a Mark V, so it is not surprising that you haven't seen such an arrangement before.
It is possible that the surviving Mark Vs in Russia, Ukraine and '?' have had the top of their tanks changed. The unditching rails are gone, so maybe the towing bracket has as well. I can't recall seeing photos of their rooves.
It was possible to see the roof of the Mark V in Bovington, but I don't think I have a photo of it! The one in the Imperial War Museum was the easiest to see the roof of, because they have that gallery that just invites that sort of picture. There are a few hundred similar photos on flickr (probably).
When I made that 'difference between a IV and V' essay, I found it difficult to get good pictures of the roof.
And, comically, when I made Cromwell's Mark V* I didn't know what the bracket was or where it should go, and their plans are not too clear either!
But now that I know what it is, and where it is, I see it in every photo! Like something that has been hidden in plain view for god-knows-how-long!
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Hi: There are some good pictures of a Mark 5 in Russia in a walk around.[ http://scalemodels.ru/modules/photo/viewcat_cid_228.html ] The Russians may have changed the roof , but a lot may be similar to the original. I'm using it for reference on my British Mark 5. Chris A.
The Reds may have changed the roof, but this one, allegedly in Smolensk, still has the towing bracket.
If you are making a British Mark V, you should think about unditching rails and the unditching beam. The one in Bovington Tank Museum is probably fairly accurate.
Hi Phil : The Mark 5 I'm building has the unditching rails and beam. It was a nightmare to scratch build. My references where taken from information on Landships and your site. I'm pleased with the way they came out. I know Emhar has a bad reputation ,but for a base I think it's a good start. As with all my builds I like to add as much detail as I can. I'll post the pictures when I finish. Thanks Chris A.
I must confess I hadn't looked at them until yesterday, Chris. Excellent work. I certainly hope we will get to see the Mark V in all its glory, as well?
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